Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-05-26
THE PRESIDENTS SPEECH.
In Accepting the Garfield Statue in
Behalf of the People.

In Accepting the Garfield Statue in
Behalf of the People.
The speech of President Cleveland,
in accepting the Garfield statue was as
follows:
FELLOW CITIZENs.-in performance
of the duty assigned to me on this oc-
casion, I hereby accept, on behalf of
the people of the United States, this
complete and beautiful statue. Amid
the interchange of fraternal greetings
between the survivors of the Army of
the Cumberland and their former foes
upon the battlefield and while the Un-
ion General and the Peoples President
awaited burial. the common grief of
these magnanimous survivors and
mourning citizens found expression
in the determination to erect this trib-
ute to American greatness, and thus
to-day, in its symmetry and beauty it
presents sign of animosities forgot
ten, an emblem of brotherhood re-
deemed and a token of a Nation re-
stored. Monuments and statutes null
tiply throughout the land, fittingly il
lustrate of the love and affection of our
grateful people and commemorating
brave and patriotic sacrifices in war,
fame in peaceful pursuits or honor in
public station. But from this day forth
there shall stand at our seat of govern
ment this statue of distinguished cIti-
zen, who, in his life and services, COM
bined all these things and more, which
challenge admiration in American char
acter-loving tenderness in every do
mestic relation, bravery on the field of
battle, fame and distinction in our halls
of legislation and the highest honor and
dignity in the chief magistracy of the
nation. This stately efigy shall not
fail to teach every beholder that the
source of American greatness is confined
to no condition, nor dependent alone
for its growth and development upon
favorable surroundings. The genius of
our national life beckOns to usefulness
and honors those in every sphere and
offers the highest preferment to manly
hopes and study, honest effort, chas-
tened and cOnsecrated by patriotic
hopes and aspirations. AS long as this
statue stands, let it be proudly remem-
bered that to every American citizen
the way is open to fame and station,
until he
"Moving up from higher to higher,
DoCOuicb vi lOEtuuC CEoWhiuS bAopo,
The pillar Of people'shope,
The center Of worlds DESIRE"
Nor can we forget that it also teaches
our people sad and distressing lesson;
and the thoughtful citizen who views
its fair proportions can not fail to recall
the tragedy of death which brought
grief and mourning to every household
in the land. But while American citi-
zenship stands aghast and affrightened
that murder and assassination should
lurk in the midst of free people and
strike down the head of their govern
ment, a fearless search and the discov-
cry of the origin and hiding place of
these hateful and unnatural things
should be followed by solemn resolve
to purge forever from our political
methods and from the operation of our
government the perversions and mis-
conceptions which gave birth to passion
ate and bloody thoughts. If from this
hour our admiration for the bravery
and nobility of American manhood,
and our faith in the possibilities and
opportunities of American citizenship
be renewed, if our appreciation of the
blessing of restored Union and love
for our government be strengthened,
and if our watchfulness against the
dangers of mad chase after partisan
spoils be quickened, the dedication of
this statue to the people of the United
States will not be in vain.
During of the delivery of his address
the President was frequently inter-
rupted with outbursts of applause. He
spoke fluently in q clear voice which
was audible to most of the vast crowd
that filled the circle before the stand.
When he had concluded the band
played "Hail Columbia" and Rev. F.
Power. who was pastor of General Gar
fields church in this city, pronounced
the benediction. The troops were then
dismissed and the ceremonies came to
an end.